Taking a Long Leave of Absence from Work

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Has anyone taken an extended leave of absence?

Has anyone ever taken an extended leave of absence from work? Lately, I've been contemplating taking a 4 week leave of absence from work. 

I did go back for 3 weeks after COVID, but I'm not sure I did myself any favors.  Any time I overexert myself, my bronchitis and angry pleural sac flare up. This last week, I worked 3 6 hour days, 2 12 hour days, did PT 2x, yoga on Saturday and Pure Barre on Sunday. Today, I spent an extensive amount of time sleeping. I also noticed that I've lost another 3 lbs, making for a 13 lb weight loss in 1 month, when I never needed to lose weight to begin with. It just seems like I'm not going to get any better until I slow down. I feel like 4 weeks with no work would give me time to exercise while resting when I want. 

Has anyone else ever taken a long leave from work and has it helped? 

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Took FMLA for 5 months  ~5 years ago due to wound dehiscence --- returned refreshed.

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Silver.... if anybody needs a month off, it is YOU. You are still very sick and need to take care of yourself, for a change.

 Best Wishes.. feel better.

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Specializes in ER.

I think its a good idea every few years for every nurse. the treadmill can be overwhelming.

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough.   Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself.   They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month.  So, I went to work.  Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding. 

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2 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough.   Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself.   They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month.  So, I went to work.  Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding. 

You went back to work because you did not enforce the boundary. Nobody can make you do that unless they are physically holding you captive. They can manipulate you, sure. But you control YOU. They make doors with locks for this very reason. 

You need the time off, your body is being clear with you about that. You are a nurse and you know that. 

“I refuse to be spoke to that way. I will only engage with someone who treats me with respect and autonomy to make my own decisions for my body. If you will not accept that and you continue to yell at me, I will talk away.”
 

Then you have to ACTUALLY walk away and engage only when spoken to calmly and rationally. A boundary has to be tight to be effective. When we set one and allow it to be crossed, we teach them the opposite - we reinforce that with manipulation and gaslighting, we will bend to their will. 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
3 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough.   Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself.   They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month.  So, I went to work.  Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding. 

And just how did this family member find out you were out and for what. If your employer informed they they were totally out of line and possibly engaged in an illegal action under employment law.The law doesn't even allow your employer to ask what kind of illness you have when calling off. and how was this family member able to contact you?.

To answer your original question. I routinely take a month long vacation every 2-3 years. I don't take a lot of time off so PTO builds up and when I hit the maximum I take off.

Hppy

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Specializes in oncology.
3 hours ago, SilverBells said:

 Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself. 

And this is why you should consider (again) buying your own home. You can choose to interact with someone or not. You can rest when you need to. Life is just too difficult to always put yourself in a position to be judged by other's ideas.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
4 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough.   Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself.   They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month.  So, I went to work.  Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding. 

Wow. I'm sorry that the family member has that much negative impact on your life.  

I would recommend that you create a way to gain distance from that individual, a way which does not require "work".

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5 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough.   Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself.   They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month.  So, I went to work.  Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding. 

A 13 pound weight loss in one month is life threatening. What does your PCP say about that? I am a chubby gal. The only time I lost weight .. was when I had cancer.

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I think you should take the leave of absence. While you have the time, look into other jobs and refresh your resume. It sounds like your superiors at work are only happy when you are literally working your life away, staying for 18 hr days and neglecting your own needs and health. Sometimes things happen in life that are negative but end up causing positive results. I think this illness may be an example of that, if you take the opportunity to really look at your situation and make the necessary changes. 

Wishing you the best ?. 

 

 

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
22 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Well, I tried taking a day off due to having a sore throat and cough.   Ended up at work because a family member scolded me, stating that I needed to get back to work, that I've rested enough and to stop feeling sorry for myself.   They stated that I was never all that sick with COVID, even after being diagnosed with bronchitis and losing 13 lbs in 1 month.  So, I went to work.  Not because I felt like working, but to get away from this person's incessant shouting and scolding. 

I know it's easier said than done but you should tell that family member in no uncertain terms to get bent. 

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